The Meaning of Psalms 136:26 Explained

Psalms 136:26

KJV: O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

YLT: Give ye thanks to the God of the heavens, For to the age is His kindness!

Darby: Give ye thanks unto the God of the heavens; for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.

ASV: Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

O give thanks  unto the God  of heaven:  for his mercy  [endureth] for ever. 

What does Psalms 136:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This concluding exhortation contains a title for God unique in the Psalter: the God of heaven. It highlights His sovereignty and was a favorite of the postexilic community ( 2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 2:1; Ezra 5:11-12; Ezra 6:9-10; Ezra 7:12; Ezra 7:21; Ezra 7:23 [1]; Nehemiah 1:4-5; Nehemiah 2:4; Nehemiah 2:20; Daniel 2:18-19; Daniel 2:28; Daniel 2:37; Daniel 2:44). Its occurrence here suggests a postexilic origin of this Psalm , though it does occur three times in pre-exilic writings ( Genesis 24:3; Genesis 24:7; Jonah 1:9).
God"s people should praise Him publicly by reviewing His great acts that prove His loyal love for them. This should be a part of their corporate worship experience.

Context Summary

Psalms 136:13-26 - Deliverance From Enemies
This psalm is no mere running commentary on the ways of God. It is a song of redemption. Pharaoh, Sihon, Og opposed God's redeeming purpose, though there were abundant evidences throughout the Exodus that it was of supernatural origin, and they came under the divine judgment. It was a mercy for all after-ages that their ideals did not prevail. Was there not ineffable wisdom and benevolence in the substitution of monotheism and the honor of womanhood and the assertion of individual rights for the degradation of their type of civilization? We must take large views of God's dealings in providence and history.
Men are apt to forget us when we are in low estate, but that is the time when God seems more thoughtful, Psalms 136:23. He has delivered, does deliver, and will deliver, Psalms 136:24. Will God make provision for all living creatures and neglect His children, Psalms 136:25? Let us trust in the love of God, which remains constant amid our fluctuations, and unaffected by our failures and sins, so long as we return from our backslidings with repentance on our lips. It is very comforting to realize that the essence of this psalm will be sung on the other side. See Revelation 15:3. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 136

1  An exhortation to give thanks to God for particular mercies

What do the individual words in Psalms 136:26 mean?

Oh give thanks to the God of heaven for ever His mercy [endures]
ה֭וֹדוּ לְאֵ֣ל הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּֽוֹ

ה֭וֹדוּ  Oh  give  thanks 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יָדָה 
Sense: to throw, shoot, cast.
לְאֵ֣ל  to  the  God 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם  of  heaven 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
לְעוֹלָ֣ם  ever 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
חַסְדּֽוֹ  His  mercy  [endures] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.